In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful

No. 1634958                                                                                                   16 June 2023

Excellency,

            I am writing to you in reference to the letter dated 6 June 2023 from the Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council regarding the Arria-formula meeting held on 25 May 2023 on the so-called theme of “The responsibility and responsiveness of States to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure” (S/2023/412). It is unfortunate that the co-organizers of this meeting, namely Albania and the United States, alongside the representative of the United Kingdom, have once again misused the platform of the Arria-formula to disseminate misinformation and repeat their baseless allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this regard, I wish to reiterate Iran’s clear and consistent position as follows:

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly and unequivocally rejected and denounced any kind of attribution to itself for the alleged cyber-attack on Albania's infrastructure in a letter dated 10 September 2022 (S/2022/685). Therefore, the allegations leveled against Iran during the abovementioned meeting are completely unfounded and are categorically rejected.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has long been the primary target and main victim of infrastructure cyberattacks, which have disrupted the delivery of public services and governmental functions. Attacks by Stuxnet and Duqu on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, industrial infrastructures, including steel and petrochemical industries, as well as gas stations, are examples of these cyber-attacks. The Israeli regime has repeatedly admitted its involvement in these criminal and terrorist attacks, which received unwavering support from the United States.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its constant and principled position that cyberspace and related technologies must be used solely for peaceful purposes and that States must act cooperatively, responsibly, and in full compliance with applicable international law. Iran maintains this approach in international cyberspace, based on both normative and responsible peacetime State behavior.

I strongly reject the groundless accusations directed at my country by the representative of the Israeli regime, both during the abovementioned Arria-formula meeting and in a letter dated 30 May 2023 addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council (S/2023/391). It is profoundly ironic that the Israeli regime, infamous for its destructive and portentous track record of engaging in nefarious and terrorist activities within the region, has the audacity to accuse Iran of posing a threat to the stability of the Middle East. This is particularly striking considering Israel's brazen and openly conducted acts of terrorism and destruction, targeting Iranian officials, scientists, civilians, and even Iran's peaceful nuclear infrastructure, within Iranian borders in recent years.

I would also like to take this opportunity to strongly reject the baseless accusation made by the United Kingdom's representative during the UN Security Council briefing on “The cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations” on 8 June 2023 that falsely alleged: “Iran’s destabilizing activity throughout the region” (S/PV.9343). Undoubtedly, it is the United Kingdom that has played a major role in destabilizing the region in the long term, as well as creating the suffering and misery of the people therein. Also, during this briefing, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States used a fabricated name for the Persian Gulf in his statement. I want to emphasize that the name "Persian Gulf" is the sole accurate name for the body of water that lies between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Using a false or fabricated name is against established historical and geographical norms.

            I would be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council.

            Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

H.E. Ms. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh

President of the Security Council

United Nations, New York